Georgia Tech offensive tackle Morgan Bailey returned to practice Monday after suffering a concussion last week. Bailey, whose career has been defined by injuries, was eager to return as soon as his symptoms cleared.
His goal for spring practice, besides improving his footwork, was to stay healthy.
"He was doing well when he was out there," coach Paul Johnson said of Bailey. "His job is to try to stay on the field."
A torn labrum ended his true freshman season. Last year, he suffered a pulled hamstring in the spring that he kept re-aggravating, which limited him to playing in three games. Until the concussion, he had stayed healthy and reaped the rewards. Offensive line coach Mike Sewak said that Bailey has come a long way this spring and that he singles Bailey out in the meeting room for properly executing assignments.
“I think he’s a very good athlete and I think there’s a desire to perform to the best that he can, and I think he can do it,” Sewak said.
If healthy, Bailey can challenge returning starting tackles Ray Beno and Tyler Kidney or play his way into a rotation with both players.
“You’ve just got to keep working at it, and eventually you get it,” Bailey said. “That’s just repetitions.”
Injuries have walloped the offensive line this spring. Johnson said that the line was down to 11 players, including walk-ons, at Monday's practice. Among those sitting out were the top four guards – Omoregie Uzzi (out entire spring recovering from surgery), Will Jackson (ankle sprain), Trey Braun (leg injury), and Shaquille Mason (undisclosed). Of those four, only Mason will be able to play in Friday's spring game. Braun will be out six to eight weeks, Johnson said.
Nose tackles improving
Defensive coordinator Al Groh wasn't quite gushing, but was not restrained in his praise for nose tackles T.J. Barnes and Shawn Green. With the graduation of three-year starter Logan Walls, Barnes and Green are on the spot to anchor Tech's 3-4 defense.
At the start of spring practice, defensive line coach Andy McCollum said he wanted more consistency from Barnes and improved conditioning from Green. Groh said Monday that Green has lost weight and improved his stamina.
“His quickness and block protection are real good,” Groh said. “T.J. has done a nice job. His hand speed has picked up. His ability to lock out and shed seems to be improving, so I think all the defensive coaches would agree that it’s gone in a positive way for both of those kids.”
Increased awareness
In his second spring at inside linebacker, Daniel Drummond has begun to grasp the whole of the defense as opposed to knowing only his assignment.
“Instead of just reading my keys, I feel like I have a better awareness of what’s going to happen, so I’m a step ahead of what happened last year,” he said.
Drummond started six games and played in 11, making 44 total tackles. Knowing everyone’s assignment helps him know how he can play his assignment. For example, he said, if he’s playing zone defense on a pass play and the linebacker next to him is in man coverage, that impacts how he defends a receiver coming into his zone.
“It makes everything easier compared to last year,” Drummond said.
Friday plans
For Friday night’s spring game, the first-string offense and second-team defense will be on one team and the first-string defense and second-string offense will be on the other. Johnson said his primary goal is to get out of the game without injuries.
“I’ve never been an advocate of spring games meaning anything,” he said.
The game starts at 7:45 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium and is free to the public.
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